VOLUME 5 ISSUE 44
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NOVEMBER 1 - NOVEMBER 7, 2024 NOVEMBER 7-NOVEMBER 15, 2024
Ocala church celebrates 50-year milestone By Marian Rizzo Correspondent
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wo years ago, the Rev. Jeremy Knight was appointed pastor of a church that was only a few years older than he was. Now 44, Knight and the congregation of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church are celebrating the church’s 50th anniversary with a special service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 10. The Rev. Dr. David Allen, district superintendent of the Northeast District Office, will share a sermon. A celebration will follow in the fellowship hall. St. Paul’s, located at 800 SE 41st Ave., Ocala, is part of 67 churches in the Northeast District of United Methodist Churches. In a text message, Allen praised St. Paul’s for reaching the milestone of 50 years. “This remarkable anniversary is a testament to the enduring faith, dedication, and love that has shaped a vibrant United Methodist faith community over the decades. St. Paul’s has not only been a place of worship but also a sanctuary of hope, support, and connection for countless individuals and families in the community. Here’s to many more years of service, growth, and inspiring generations to come,” Allen wrote. To Knight, it’s not just a milestone but more like a new beginning. A former youth minister, Knight moved here from South Mississippi with his wife, Nan, and their children, Leyton, 15, and Elise, 12. “This has been a great fit for our family,” said Knight. “It’s an honor to be able to witness God’s faithfulness even in my two years and to understand it through the lens of others who have been here so much longer. The church has done a great job of creating programs for children and youth by helping them truly belong to the community. I would love to stay and be a part of this beautiful growing community and continue to do the good work at St. Paul’s.” St. Paul’s of Ocala started in 1974 on 11 donated acres in southeast Ocala. Members first met for worship at WardHighlands Elementary School and the church was chartered on Dec. 15, 1974, with about 65 members. On May 18, 1975, the congregation broke ground for their first sanctuary, which now serves as a fellowship hall. The current sanctuary was built in 1986, said longtime member, Beth McCall, noting that her husband, See 50 Years, page A4
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Takeaways from Tuesday
By Jim Saunders Florida News Service
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epublicans had a great night. Democrats? Not so much. And 60 is a magic number in Florida. Here are five takeaways from Tuesday’s elections: — NO DOUBT: In 2022, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis won a second term by 19.4 percentage points, and Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio was re-elected by 16.4 points. On Tuesday, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump won Florida by about 13.2 points, and Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott got re-elected by
nearly the same margin. See a pattern? And that’s just at the top of the ticket. Up and down the ballot, Republicans further cemented their power in Florida. As an example, registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans in Miami-Dade County. But on Tuesday, Trump won Miami-Dade by more than 11 points, Scott won by 10 points, and GOP candidates handily won races for county sheriff, clerk of courts, property appraiser, tax collector and supervisor of elections. — DESANTIS DELIVERS: After DeSantis’ presidential campaign was
Marion County Supervisor of Elections, Wesley Wilcox, Cristi Cerra, Candidate Services Representative for the Supervisor of Elections Office, Election Canvassing Board members, Judge Robert Landt and Kathy Bryant of the Marion County Commission, left to right, watch as 2024 Presidential Election results come in at the Marion County Election Center in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.
See Tuesday Election page A6
Paychecks for Patriots CareerSource CLM job fairs will be held Nov. 12 in Citrus County and Nov. 19 in Ocala to help veterans find jobs.
Kashif Aris, who obtained employment at Autobahn Imports through the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion Paychecks for Patriots program, talks with business owner Seth Becker. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
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urple Heart recipient Kashif Aris found an ideal employment fit in less than two days through the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion Paychecks for Patriots program. Aris, whose military occupations included diesel mechanic, was hired on with Autobahn Imports automotive repair in southwest Marion County in January of this year after he signed up with the veterans’ employment program. “Autobahn has been almost a second home. The work environment is amazing and so is the staff,” Aris said. “Aris is excellent. We’re very happy,” said
Autobahn Imports owner Seth Becker. Joe Dorr, a local realtor and Autobahn Imports customer, has an office near the CLM center in Ocala recommended the veterans’ program to Becker. Henry Ayala, a U.S. Army veteran, is CLM’s local veteran employment representative and is based in the Ocala office. Aris said Ayala “opened a file and made sort of an induction” with job history and more information. The same day, there was an employer contact and in less than two days I was hired,” Aris said. Aris, 37, joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2009 and was soon deployed to Afghanistan, where he suffered a grade three concussion and back injury when his
fuel convoy was struck by two IEDs. He said the first explosion was muffled by a mine roller on the front of the 7-ton truck and the second blast was remotely detonated underneath the vehicle. He initially thought that he was not injured. “My back hurt and I thought it was from carrying my gear,” he said. Aris’ medical recovery included eight months of rehabilitation. Aris was living in Fort Lauderdale but in December 2023 decided to move to the Ocala area where he has family. He initially was to transfer to a prearranged job here, but the situation dissolved. He visited Marion County Veterans Helping Veterans and was in turn referred to CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion. See Paychecks, page A2
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Taxes pass....................................... A4 Ocali Country Days....................... A9 “The Glass Menagerie”................ B1 Pastry chef on TV......................... B3 Bird of the Week .......................... B7
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